VBS. Over & Out

Last week was our church's VBS.

The theme was Kingdom Rock.

This is the first year of several that I did not volunteer.  If you read this post, you know why.

It was nice to get a couple hour reprieve each nigh.  I dropped Hayden off at VBS and then to only have the little to hang out with. It was like a mini vacation.  I hope that doesn't sound terrible.  It is not meant to.  It is nice though to have some one on one time with Miss K.  And I knew Hayden was in good hands and would have a great time, which he did.

I did however go back to the church each night to hang out the last half hour or so, when they are in the sanctuary reviewing what they learned that night, sing a few songs and dance.  I just couldn't stay away.  And it is awesome to see all the kids praising GOD and "Stay Strong".  That was part of the Kingdom Rock theme....to Stay Strong, no matter what life throws your way, when you live by the word and trust in him, he will help you through it along with your friends and family.  Such a great message and easy concept for even the youngest.

As part of the tithing this week the kids brought money to help buy Compassion Water for Life kits.  My friend Jill did an amazing job (of course) every night presenting this.  And in the end, the kids brought enough money for 5 kits!  5 kits!  How amazing is that?  Jill had only hoped for 2 but the kids rallied up!  If you want to read more about each day of her presentations, make sure to visit her blogs posts. 

VBS Day 1
VBS Day 2
VBS Day 3
VBS Day 4
VBS Day 5

VBS.  Over & Out.  Until next year.

Do your children attend VBS?  What was your theme this year? 

Catching Up: VBS Day 4,5

We survived!  It was touch and go there for a while but we made it out the other side of the week.

Wow, by Friday, both me and the kids (both the kids at VBS as well as my own) were exhausted!  It was a very long week but well worth it!  The kids, all of them, had such a great time; it was clearly obvious! 

::::They sang
::::They danced
:::They played games
:::They ate awesome snacks
::::They made new friends
::::Visited with old friends
::::They memorized Bible verses and learned about how you can TRUST GOD in all that you do!  And GOD loves you NO MATTER WHAT!


And wait there is more!   They raised $300 or so dollars for the Bite Back Campaign plus our church is matching that so that means 60, yes, 60  mosquito nets will be ordered for families in dire need of them.  No longer is this someone elses problem, it is our problem and the kids answered the call!  I am so proud of each and everyone of them!  For their giving hearts and desire to do something.

And I want to give a shout out to everyone who volunteered at VBS this year (just in case you are reading this), without each and everyone of you, us, this would not be possible.  You all ROCK!

Here are the final two memory versus for the week.

Thursday:

Friday:

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Bite Back!

  It is PREVENTABLE. Someone MUST stop the spread of Malaria. That SOMEONE is US!


Just a few dollars can help provide a net, educate, medicate and save a life. This week during VBS the children are tithing towards mosquito nets. So far they have brought in enough money for 15 nets! Our church is matching it. 30 nets!

30 lives saved, so easily. $10. The cost of a movie ticket, a run through the drive thru.

Can you help save a life from Malaria?

Visit Bite Back to donate TODAY! It could save SOMEONES life so they can have a TOMORROW.

Catching Up: VBS Day 1,2,3

Yes, I am condensing this.  Time has been a bit scarce this week.  With work, picking up/dropping off kiddos, VBS, we have been home but maybe an hour or so a day; enough time to cook/eat dinner really quick and then we head to VBS...then not getting home from that until 830-900pm.  Quick baths, a whole lot of little teeth to brush, then time to hit the pillow and do it all again the next day.

As tiring as it has been...when we get to VBS energy flows abundantly.  The kids, about 60 of them (age 4-4th grade), have so much energy and they so eagerly share it with all.  I *love* it!  They are so animated in E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. they say and do.  It is soooo awesome to watch the kids learn about GOD and have such a heart for him. 

In the class room that I am in, we have a different memory verse everyday that we have them memorize by we drill into them repeating over and over again numerous ways: slow motion, fast motion, valley girl talk (that is a favorite), robot talk, with an accent, etc.  It has made the kids giggle, laugh, smile and GET it!  Whatever works right? We also do some motions to each of the verses which again helps them remember the verses.  We only have them in our station for 20 mins but by the end of it, they have that verse down! It is so cool.  Even the littlest ones get it.

The memory verse for Monday was:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

What are our memory versus for Thursday and Friday?  You will have to just wait and see. 

Did you go to VBS as a child?  What was your favorite part?  Do your children go to VBS now? 

Dishwasher Fiasco & Church Sermons

Today. 

Was.

Good.

I made Potatoes O'Brien for breakfast this morning. SUPER. EARLY. For some reason the kiddos decided to get up at the crack of dawn.  And when the kids get up at the crack of dawn in our house, mom or dad, or both are up too since we know how much ruckus they can cause when left unattended for to long.  LOL. 

Did you see our dishwasher fiasco from yesterday?  I posted a picture on my facebook page.

This is what happens when two children are left unattended for to long.  Actually, I don't even know when this would have happened...one of the two putting regular dish washing soap into the dishwasher because Friday afternoon, after I picked them up from grandmas, we ran around quite a bit and we didn't even get home until pretty late in the evening.  Baths, some quiet time and then bedtime shortly thereafter.  Not sure when they would have had the time; they are pretty sneaky though.  I have racked my brain.  When I turned on the dishwasher yesterday morning, a few seconds into the wash cycle this is what our kitchen looked like.  Between this and our refrigerator water dispenser my floors are tending to get quite the cleaning (often).  I probably should have saved this for a confessional post. 

By the way, if this ever happens to you, I know how to get the bubbles out of the dishwasher...

Sprinkle table salt on the suds, then put some ice cubes in the bottom of the dishwasher and then when the suds disappear, run the dishwasher with a cup of vinegar (with no dishes). 

After breakfast we went to church.  I worked in the nursery today and then stayed for the second service.  I love the little ones.  If money and space was not an object I would "so" have more kids.  At least I get my baby fix since my Kaylyn is almost 2!  Can you believe it.  We were going through old clothes today to donate and ran across some smaller ones that were still hanging around, hard to believe she once fit into them and she is still so petite.  Not sure where she got that from.  But yeah, she will be two on Cinco De Mayo.  And to think we almost lost her last year.  Last year was rough.  This year is shaping up to be much brighter.

The sermon at church today, it was written for us.  I love our church.  So often I find that the sermons that our pastor speaks, speak to us, it is as if he knows exactly what is going on in our hearts.  Seriously, I sat there with my husband and during several parts I couldn't help but whisper to him about things we have been talking about, A LOT lately.  Ways to simplify.  Ways to live a more abundant life in the spiritual and relationship sense.  Ways to be better stewards of the gifts that GOD has bestowed upon us.  Phase 1 of our bigger picture has been put in motion.  I can't wait to share more about this but have to keep some things to ourselves for a little bit longer. 

When we got home from church, I made some lunch (delish salads for the husband and I and then PB&J, carrots/cucumbers/ranch for the littles) for all of us, we ate together and then the kids played outside in the sunshine for a while before it was naptime.  They are still napping as I type this.  That is what happens when the littles get up so early. 

Today.

Is.

Good.

Because GOD is good


A verse from the sermon this morning.

 "But just as you excel in everything...in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us...see that you also excel in this grace of GIVING." II Corinthians 8:7

I hope everyone had a great Sunday and will have an awesome start to the new week.